Colloidal ß-TCP Facilitates Synthesis of Collagen Nano-composite

Y. Shibata, H. Yamamoto and T. MiyazakiShowa University, JP

Keywords:collagen, ß-tricalcium phosphate, biocomposite

Abstract:Recently, hydroxyapatite/collagen composites have received much attention in the field of tissue reconstruction, because human bone is mainly composed of hydroxyapatite and collagen fibers. However, these composites cannot be synthesized without secondary treatments, therefore the development of composites that are naturally synthesized and don’t need additional treatments is required. Since biodegradable calcium phosphate ceramics exhibit high osteoconductivity compared to hydroxyapatite, we expected chemical reactions between ceramics and collagen to be effective in formulating collagen composites. This study aimed to investigate chemical reactions between alkaline colloidal calcium phosphates and collagen solution. Many collagen molecules were tightly polymerized in the _-tricalcium phosphate/collagen composite by catalysis of the generated -P-O-P- polyphosphate chain. Bonding strength between collagen NH+ amino groups and -P-O-P-, and cross-linking of the Ca++-RCOO- in the collagen were increased in the composite. These chemical reactions due to colloidal _-tricalcium phosphate might have a key role in synthesis of collagen composites.